Consultant Social Worker

Hello!

We are so delighted you are considering coming to work with us at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW).

We know the power of looking into an organisation, one you might want to work in, or one where you are going to get help, and being able to say, ‘I’ve seen somewhere I can fit in and be myself.’ We’re on a journey to make the Trust an inclusive employer, representative of the community we serve and we want more of our community to consider applying for jobs with us.

Opportunities for you

Spanning east to west coasts from Northumberland to Cumbria and from the Scottish Borders down to Middlesbrough we’ve got exciting new opportunities available at every level and in every area.

All this in a vibrant workplace supported by the following staff networks.

• Cultural diversity staff network
• Disabled staff network
• LGBT+ staff network

We also have a number of staff support groups which are open to any staff to attend. These Include:

• Armed Forces and Veterans Staff Association
• Mind, Health and Wellbeing Community
• Menopause toolkit and cafes and staff carer support group

We offer fantastic personal development opportunities through our Collective Leadership Programme and other Organisational Development initiatives. Whatever you are looking for, you will be joining a supportive, friendly team, offering varied and interesting roles, with opportunities for career progression.

Always improving

CNTW is regulated by the national healthcare regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Our last two inspections have rated us as an outstanding organisation. We’re always seeking to improve as an organisation. Do you want to be part of that?

Job overview

Are you ready to take the next step in your social work career while shaping the future of mental health social work? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Consultant Social Worker to lead and mentor a small unit of graduates as they develop into qualified mental health social workers in Cumbria.

This role is part of our newly formed partnership with Think Ahead, a charity dedicated to training graduates and career changers to enter the mental health social work profession.

Main duties of the job

About the Role

As Consultant Social Worker, you will:

• Lead a unit of four trainee social workers during their statutory 70-day and 100-day placements, helping them integrate into the team and identifying learning opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.
• Provide leadership, case oversight, and supervision to trainees as they work within an adult community mental health service.
• Take ultimate responsibility for casework undertaken by the trainees.
• Be based within one of our adult community teams in Workington, Cumbria, where you will provide day-to-day guidance and supervision.

The role offers a unique blend of leadership, education, and frontline practice, along with fully funded CPD training and qualifications.

Working for our organisation

Why Join Us?

We’re looking for candidates who:

• Aspire to progress their career while staying connected to frontline practice.
• Are passionate about developing the next generation of social workers.
• Can create a rich and inspirational learning environment for trainees.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

What We Offer

Successful candidates will benefit from:

• A fully funded Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Social Work from Middlesex University, including Practice Educator Professional Standards (Stages 1 and 2).
• Bespoke leadership training and advanced supervision skills development.
• Networking opportunities with a national community of Consultant Social Workers.
• Monthly supervision and support from CNTW’s Principal Social Worker, who will provide operational leadership for the Think Ahead programme.
• Career progression opportunities while remaining in frontline practice.
• Ongoing support from Think Ahead and Middlesex University.
• Membership in the Social Work Leadership Team, contributing to the strategic direction of social work across the locality.

This is a unique opportunity to lead, inspire, and leave a lasting impact on mental health social work.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Simon Owens, Principal Social Worker at CNTW at [email protected].

Make a difference today—apply to be a Consultant Social Worker and shape the future of social work in Cumbria.

Please find attached job description for full details.

Closing date : 14th January 2025

We welcome your application.

Person specification

Education and Qualification

• Recognised Social Work degree or equivalent.
• Registration with Social Work England.
• Post qualified CPD in social work practice.
• Practice Educator Professionals Standards – Stage 2 Qualification. (Or willingness to complete fast-track training with Think Ahead & Middlesex University prior to unit start date)

Knowledge and Experience

• 2 years post qualifying experience, working at advanced social work level of capability.
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team in a mental health setting.
• Experience of providing Social Work interventions.
• Commitment to Partnership working both multi-agency and multi-disciplinary.
• Awareness of equal opportunities legislation and policies.
• Experience of collaborative working across agencies and professional disciplines.
• Proven ability to manage a clinical caseload in a flexible manner as required.
• Experience of providing clinical/reflective supervision to staff.
• Teaching / training
• Understanding of difficult to manage/challenging behaviours.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills including negotiation and conflict management
• Evidence of effective organisational skills
• Expert clinical supervision skills
• Evidence of maintaining accurate and contemporaneous record keeping

Please ensure to check out all of the supporting documents linked to this advert, for useful information about working for us, information from our Chief Executive and much more.